Request for Proposals: Pioneer Innovator Grant Programme

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Pioneer Innovator Grant Programme funds early-stage academic research in sustainability and health with strong potential for future commercialisation and societal impact. Grants of up to DKK 1.2 million for one year support project validation, development, and dissemination while keeping research anchored in academia. Eligible applicants are faculty, researchers, or students at Nordic research institutions, with projects administered by non-profit organisations.

Overview

The Pioneer Innovator Grant Programme is designed to accelerate early-stage academic research with promising societal and commercial potential in the fields of sustainability and health.

The programme provides financial support at a pre-company stage, enabling researchers to validate, evaluate, and develop their ideas before forming a business entity.

The grant encourages innovation that remains anchored in academia, ensuring that projects contribute to knowledge creation while exploring practical applications.

Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Support novel academic research with clear societal or commercial impact potential

• Enable early validation and evaluation of ideas prior to company formation

• Promote the translation of academic findings into solutions that address sustainability and health challenges

• Strengthen collaborations within and across Nordic research institutions

Funding and Eligible Costs

• Maximum funding: DKK 1.2 million per project for one year

• Eligible expenses include:

  • Salaries for research assistants

  • Operational costs directly related to the project

  • Equipment (within defined limits)

  • Communication and dissemination activities

  • Travel directly related to project work

  • Publication expenses

  • Commercialisation-related consultancy

  • Intellectual property counselling

  • Limited direct administrative expenses

• Not eligible:

  • Salaries for the main applicant or co-applicants

  • Overhead costs unrelated to the project

  • Commercial activities beyond the research phase

Who Is Eligible?

Main Applicants

• Faculty members, researchers, or students at universities, hospitals, or research institutions in the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden

Co-Applicants

• May include collaborators from the same or other institutions, local or international

Institutional Requirements

• Grants must be administered by a non-profit organisation

• Cannot be awarded directly to companies

• Projects associated with incubator programs or intellectual property owned by universities are eligible if:

  • The project remains anchored in academia

  • The administrating institution is the university

  • No company is established at the time of application

• If a company is created during the grant period, the Foundation must be informed for appropriate fund redirection

Eligible Research Areas

Projects must focus on sustainability or health and demonstrate:

• Novelty of the idea

• Potential for future societal or commercial impact

• Clear alignment with academic research objectives

Application Process

1. Review the official Pioneer Innovator Grant guidelines

2. Prepare a project plan detailing:

   • Objectives and scope

   • Research methodology

   • Expected outcomes and impact potential

   • Budget and eligible expenses

3. Submit the application in English via the Foundation’s application system

4. Ensure all co-applicants and institutional approvals are in place

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed on three equally weighted criteria:

1. Novelty and potential impact

   • Originality of the idea

   • Societal relevance or commercial potential

2. Competencies and management

   • Qualifications and experience of the main applicant and team

   • Capacity to execute the project successfully

3. Commercial potential or scalability

   • Feasibility of translating research into practical applications

   • Long-term impact and potential to scale

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting applications without institutional approval

• Requesting funding for ineligible costs such as applicant salaries or general overhead

• Not keeping the project anchored in academia

• Failing to demonstrate novelty or potential impact

• Omitting details about co-applicants or institutional roles

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for the Pioneer Innovator Grant?

Faculty, researchers, and students at Nordic universities, hospitals, or research institutions.

2. Can companies apply directly?

No. Grants must be administered by a non-profit organisation.

3. What is the maximum funding available?

Up to DKK 1.2 million for one year per project.

4. Can co-applicants be international?

Yes, co-applicants may be from local or international institutions.

5. Are commercialisation activities fully fundable?

Only limited commercialisation-related consultancy or IP counselling are eligible; company activities are not.

6. What happens if a company is formed during the grant period?

The Foundation must be informed, and remaining funds may be redirected according to rules.

7. How is the application evaluated?

Based on novelty and impact, competencies of the team, and commercial potential or scalability.

Conclusion

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Pioneer Innovator Grant Programme provides critical support for early-stage academic research with societal and commercial promise in health and sustainability.

By funding projects at the pre-company stage, the grant enables researchers to validate, develop, and disseminate their ideas while remaining anchored in academia.

For Nordic researchers aiming to turn innovative concepts into impactful solutions, the Pioneer Innovator Grant offers both financial resources and strategic guidance to advance high-potential projects.